A steering wheel subassembly with an armature and a clip. The clip has a first leg disposed in a first slot of the armature, a bend extending from the first leg, and a second leg extending from the bend. The second leg is disposed in a second slot on the armature and the clip is movable between a rest and displaced position. The clip partially obstructs a hole in the armature configured to receive a connecting part such as a pin. The clip legs exert a preload on armature engagement surfaces. The invention is further directed to a method for coupling the clip to the steering wheel armature as well as a steering wheel assembly having the steering wheel subassembly described above. The invention is still further directed to a configuration of a mounting bracket with an airbag subassembly adapted to be coupled to the steering wheel subassembly. The invention is also directed to a cover for the steering wheel subassembly wherein the cover and armature cooperate to define an access passage aligned with one of the clip legs.